Forming, filling and sealing machine for standing pouch

ABSTRACT

A forming, filling and sealing machine comprises three sealing mechanisms for heat sealing a film, a folding mechanism for inwardly folding the width direction middle part of the film along the longitudinal direction of the film, and an injection pipe for injecting in filling materials. A first sealing mechanism heat seals a long sheet film to be carried downwards with both side ends overlapped with each other, the heat sealing being applied to the overlapped both side ends along the longitudinal direction of the film. A second sealing mechanism heat seals at least the top of two ridge portions formed by the folding mechanism in the film along the longitudinal direction of the film. A third sealing mechanism is disposed below the injection pipe for horizontally heat sealing the film and cutting the heat sealed portion.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a forming, filling and sealing machinefor concurrently forming a standing pouch with a sheet film and fillingthe pouch with a filling material while carrying the sheet filmdownward.

2. Description of the Related Art

As a filling and sealing machine for forming a bag with a sheet film andconcurrently filling a liquefied or paste filling material with the bag,a vertical type forming, filling and sealing machine has hitherto beenknown. A vertical type forming, filling and sealing machine comprises afilm forming guide for forming the sheet film into a tubular shape, avertical sealing mechanism for heat sealing an edge of the film into atubular shape to produce a tubular film, a pair of squeezing rollers fordividing the filling material introduced into the tubular film anddownwardly carrying the tubular film with the divided product, and a endsealing mechanism for horizontally heat sealing the unfilled partproduced in the tubular film by the rotation of the squeezing rollersand cutting off the sealed part.

As a machine capable of performing high speed heat sealing and obtainingincreased seal strength, Japanese Patent Laid-open No. 172403/95discloses a vertical type forming, filling and sealing machine having aend sealing mechanism which includes a heater bar for heat sealing theunfilled part and a cooling bar for cooling the heat sealed portion. Theheater bar and the cooling bar have the ability to successively pressthe same portion when the film feed is in a stopped state.

On the other hand, there is a package type of standing pouch. As thisstanding pouch can be displayed in a shop in a self-supported state, ithas been widely used recently as a package form replacing plastic cases,bottles or cans.

Making of standing pouches and filling of filling materials aregenerally performed in separate processes. Specifically, bags areprepared in advance wherein a bottom folded into a W-form and both sidesare heat sealed to keep only the top open. Next in the filling process,the prepared bags are taken out one by one, and filled while beingconveyed in a horizontal direction. After the filling product has beenintroduced into the bags from the opening, the top portion ishermetically closed thorough heat sealing.

However, bag making and filling in separate processes fails to increaseproductivity. A forming, filling and sealing machine for standingpouches has been developed for bag making and filling successively, themachine folding a sheet film in half, conveying the folded film in thehorizontal direction, heat sealing the bottom and both sides,introducing the filling material from the top opening of the bag, aftercutting the bags one by one, and heat sealing the top of the bag.

The above forming, filling and sealing machine can increase theproductivity for standing pouches. However, a new problem is encounteredthat a large area is required for installation of the machine becausethe film is carried horizontally in the machine.

Further, there is a risk that dust may enter the bag because the fillingmaterial is introduced into the bag from the top opening while the bagis being carried horizontally. Moreover, since the top opening of thebag is heat sealed, it is very difficult to heat seal the bag withoutair being introduced into the bag. Therefore, in the case of fillerproducts which easily oxidize or rot, such as foods, it is impossible tomaintain product quality. Further, if the filling material, such asdetergent, produces bubbles when it is introduced into the bag, bubblesmay flow out of the opening of the bag during the filling process,thereby making the surface of the bag dirty or bubbles may stick to theportion to be heat sealed, resulting in faulty sealing of the bag.

The vertical type forming, filling and sealing machine is effective insolving these problems. However, since the standing pouch has a thickbottom, how to fabricate this thick bottom is critical in producing astanding pouch by means of the vertical type forming, filling andsealing machine.

Further, although a conventional vertical type forming, filling andsealing machine disclosed in Japanese Patent Laid-open No. 172403/95 isadvantageous in the heat sealing rate as well as in the seal strength inthe case of producing a pillow type package, it still has plenty ofimprovement in the production of a standing pouch. Specifically, thebottoms of standing pouches require at a maximum the heat sealing offour layers of film. Reliable heat sealing of the four-layer portionrequires a prolonged sealing time, resulting is a decrease inproductivity.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is an object of the present invention to provide a forming, fillingand sealing machine for efficiently producing a standing pouch by makinguse of the merits of the conventional vertical type forming, filling andsealing machine by carrying out the bag making and filling operation asthe film passes downwardly.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a forming,filling and sealing machine which can manufacture standing pouches at ahigh speed while assuring sufficient the time for heat sealing of thefilm without the decrease in productivity.

According to one aspect of the present invention, the forming, fillingand sealing machine comprises a first sealing mechanism for heat sealingboth side ends of a long sheet film carried downward with both side endsthereof overlapped with each other; a folding mechanism for forming tworidge portions in the film by inwardly folding the width directioncenter part of the film passes downward; and a second sealing mechanismfor heat sealing at least the top of the ridge portions formed in thefilm by the folding mechanism.

The film is formed into a tubular shape by heat sealing the film bymeans of the first sealing mechanism. On the opposite side of the heatsealed portion prepared by the first sealing mechanism, two ridgeportions are produced by the folding mechanism. Thereafter, at least thetop of the ridge portions are heat sealed by the second sealingmechanism.

Filling materials are introduced inside the tubular film heat sealed bythe first and second sealing mechanisms thorough an injection pipe. Thenthe film is heat sealed in the horizontal direction and cut off by athird sealing mechanism. In this manner, a standing pouch is produced,the bottom of which is formed at the position sealed by the secondsealing mechanism.

According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the thirdsealing mechanism comprises a heater bar for heat sealing the filmarranged reciprocally movable opposite to each other with the filmbetween them and a cutter holding member for holding the cutter whichcuts the film. The cutter holding member is provided with a heater barreceiving member which shifts to a position opposite the heater bar fromthe movement of the cutter holding member away from the film, and forcooling the position heated by the heater bar, the heater bar isprovided with a cooling member which shifts to a position facing thecutter holding member from the movement of heater bar away from thefilm.

In addition, bumps may be provided in the second sealing mechanism forapplying a spot heat seal to the ridge portions of the film in thevicinity of the portion which is heat sealed by the third sealingmechanism. According to the above process, a spot heat sealed portion isformed in the lower corner of the standing pouch, thereby reinforcing bythe spot seales the side seal portion of the standing pouch at the partliable to be split off.

According to another aspect of the present invention, the forming,filling and sealing machine comprises a top sealing mechanism for heatsealing both side ends of the sheet film folded so that both side endsare coincident with each other, a folding mechanism for forming tworidge portions in the film by inwardly folding the width center part ofthe film, and a bottom sealing mechanism for heat sealing at least thetop of the ridge portions formed in the film by the folding mechanism.Further, a pair of squeezing rollers are provided with the film heatsealed by the top sealing mechanism between them and arranged toreciprocally movable facing each other. The squeezing rollers rotatewhile pressing the film placed therebetween for carrying the filmdownward, thereby dividing the filling material supplied through theinjection pipe.

Below the injection pipe, a end sealing apparatus having two sealingmechanisms and two cooling mechanisms located below the sealingmechanisms are provided. The sealing mechanisms and the coolingmechanisms can move independently in the perpendicular direction forsealing the film in the horizontal direction and for cooling the heatsealed portion while the film is being carried downward. With referenceto the sealing mechanisms, while one of them is moving down along withthe film and simultaneously heat sealing the film, the other, one whichhas moved down along with the film and simultaneous heat sealed the filmin a previous operation, is moved upwards for the next heat sealingoperation. With reference to the cooling mechanisms, while either one ofthem is moving downward along with the film concurrently cooling theheat sealed portion heat sealed by the other sealing mechanism in theprevious operation, the other one moves upwards for cooling the portionheat sealed by either of the sealing mechanisms. In other words, whilecarrying the film downwardly, each heat sealing mechanism heat seals thefilm alternately, and each cooling mechanism alternately cools theportion heat sealed by the heat sealing mechanisms.

Therefore, the heat sealing operation by one sealing mechanism can becommenced immediately after or before the finish of the heat sealingoperation by the other sealing mechanism. In addition, cooling by onecooling mechanism can be commenced immediately after the termination ofthe heat sealing operation of the other sealing mechanism. Accordingly,while ensuring the heat sealing time and the cooling time required forsure sealing of the film, productivity is not lowered.

The above other objects, features and advantages of the presentinvention will become apparent from the following description withreference to the accompanying drawings which illustrate examples of thepresent invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a schematic elevation of a forming, filling and sealingmachine according to a first embodiment of the present invention,

FIG. 2 is a schematic side elevation of the forming, filling and sealingmachine shown in FIG. 1,

FIG. 3 is a sectional view taken along B--B line of a folding mechanismshown in FIG. 1,

FIG. 4a is a top view of a bottom sealing mechanism shown in FIG. 1,FIG. 4b is a side view of the bottom sealing mechanism shown in FIG. 1,

FIG. 5 is a sectional view taken along C--C line of the bottom sealingmechanism shown in FIG. 4b,

FIG. 6 is a sectional view of a primary part of a tubular film heatsealed by the bottom sealing mechanism,

FIG. 7 is an enlarged view of a end sealing mechanism shown in FIG. 2,

FIGS. 8a to 8c are views for explaining the filling-packing operation ofthe forming, filling and sealing machine illustrated in FIG. 1 and FIG.2,

FIG. 9a is an elevation of a standing pouch manufactured by the forming,filling and sealing machine shown in FIG. 1 and FIG. 2, and FIG. 9b is aside elevation of the same standing pouch,

FIG. 10 is a perspective view of a primary part of a modified examplewith reference to the bottom sealing mechanism shown in FIG. 4,

FIG. 11 is a side elevation of the standing pouch whose bottom is heatsealed with the bottom sealing mechanism shown in FIG. 10,

FIG. 12 is an elevation of a forming, filling and sealing machineaccording to a second embodiment of the present invention,

FIG. 13 is a side elevation of the forming, filling and sealing machineshown in FIG. 12,

FIG. 14 is a cross sectional view of a film passed through a bag makingguide and a guide arm shown in FIG. 12,

FIG. 15 is a cross sectional view of a film passed through a foldingmechanism shown in FIG. 12,

FIG. 16 is an elevation of a end sealing apparatus shown in FIG. 12,

FIG. 17 is a plan view of a first sealing mechanism of the end sealingapparatus shown in FIG. 16,

FIG. 18 is a plan view of a first cooling mechanism of the end sealingapparatus shown in FIG. 16,

FIG. 19 is a view for explaining the structure of the cooling bar andthe cooling bar receiver of the first cooling mechanism shown in FIG.18,

FIGS. 20a to 20k are views for explaining the sealing operation to beperformed by the end sealing apparatus shown in FIG. 16,

FIG. 21 is a view for explaining an arch appearing in the film when thebag making-filling operation is successively performed without the filmby being cut the cooling mechanism,

FIG. 22 is a plan view of another example showing a form of a cutterused in the cooling mechanism illustrated in FIG. 16,

FIG. 23 is a view of five consecutive packages obtained by using thecutter shown in FIG. 22,

FIG. 24 is an elevation of a forming, filling and sealing machineaccording to a third embodiment of the present invention,

FIG. 25 is a side elevation of the forming, filling and sealing machineshown in FIG. 24,

FIG. 26 is a perspective view of the bag making folding mechanism shownin FIG. 24 and FIG. 25,

FIG. 27a is a top view of the bottom sealing mechanism shown in FIG. 24,FIG. 27b is an elevation of the same bottom sealing mechanism,

FIG. 28 is a view of a pressure surface of the bottom sealing bar shownin FIGS. 27a, 27b,

FIG. 29a is a top view of the top sealing mechanism shown in FIG. 24 andFIG. 25, FIG. 29b is an elevation of the same top sealing mechanism,

FIG. 30 is a view of a pressure surface of the top sealing bar shown inFIGS. 29a, 29b,

FIG. 31a is a top view of a reinforcement sealing mechanism shown inFIG. 24 and FIG. 25, FIG. 31b is an elevation of the same reinforcementsealing mechanism,

FIG. 32 is a side view showing the positional relationship between thereinforcement sealing bar and a film position regulating plate shown inFIGS. 31a, 31b,

FIG. 33 is a side view of a provisional checking mechanism applicable tothe forming, filling and sealing machine of the present invention,

FIG. 34 is a perspective view of the standing pouch manufactured by theforming, filling and sealing machine shown in FIG. 24 and FIG. 25.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

First Embodiment

Referring now to FIG. 1 and FIG. 2, there is shown a forming, fillingand sealing machine according to the first embodiment of the presentinvention. The forming, filling and sealing machine is a vertical typeforming, filling and sealing machine for manufacturing standing pouch1000 shown in FIG. 9 by bagging liquefied or paste filling material 5injected through injection pipe 11 provided inside main pipe 12.

On the outer circumference of main pipe 12, there is provided filmforming guide 13 for overlapping both side ends of sheet film 1 suppliedthrough tension roller 16 for successively forming it into a tubularshape.

Film 1 formed into a tubular shape by means of film forming guide 13 isvertically heat sealed along a side edge of the overlapped surface bytop sealing mechanism 20 provided below film forming guide 13. Now,since top sealing mechanism 20 is similar in structure to the verticalsealing mechanism used in a general vertical type forming, filling andsealing machine, the description of top sealing mechanism 20 will beomitted.

On the opposite side of top sealing mechanism 20 on the other side ofmain pipe 12, bottom sealing mechanism 40 is disposed for verticallyheat sealing film 1. Bottom sealing mechanism 40 is used for forming thepart which becomes bottom 1000a (refer to FIG. 9) of standing pouch 1000manufactured with this forming, filling and sealing machine. Before theheat sealing step performed by bottom sealing mechanism 40, a fold isformed in film 1 along the longitudinal direction thereof. Therefore,folding mechanism 30 is disposed above bottom sealing mechanism 40 forforming a fold in film 1. Folding mechanism 30 and bottom sealingmechanism 40 will be described below.

First, folding mechanism 30 will be described with reference to FIG. 3.As shown in FIG. 3, folding mechanism 30 is composed of push plate 31and two check plates 32. Each check plate 32 is disposed inside film 1being spaced from each other. Push plate 31 is disposed on the outsideof film 1 its side end protruding between check plates 32.

Film 1 formed into a tubular shape by film forming guide 13 (refer toFIG. 1) is tucked in by push plate 31 at the part opposite to the partto be heat sealed by top sealing mechanism 20 and both sides of thetucked part are held by the two check plates 32. Accordingly, film 1 isfolded into a cross section of a W shape thereby forming two ridgeportions 1c.

Bottom sealing mechanism 40 will next be described with reference toFIGS. 4a,4b and 5. As shown in FIGS. 4a and 4b on frame 10 of thisforming, filling and sealing machine, two heater bar supporting members43 are fixed vertically spaced to each other. Two heater bar shafts 46are firmly set between heater bar supporting members 43. Each heater barshaft 46 is provided with heater bar 44 which is rotatable in thedirection of the arrow shown in the FIG. 4a and has a built-in heatingmeans (not shown) such as an electric heater. Each heater bar 44 isboosted by a boosting means such as a spring toward the direction forthe ends of the heater bars to approach each other.

Heater bar receiver 45 is fixed between heater bar supporting members43, being disposed between heater bars 44. At the top of each heater bar44, a pressure surface is provided projecting toward heater bar receiver45. These pressure surfaces on both heater bars 44 are pressed on bothsides of heater bar receiver 45 by the boosting force of the aboveboosting means.

Cylinder 41 is fixed on frame 10 by means of cylinder fixing member 42.Cylinder 41 has a rod which is fixed toward heater bar 44. Pushing rod47 is fixed to the rod of cylinder 41 penetrating through frame 10. Asshown in FIG. 5, pushing rod 47 is located at the intermediate positionbetween respective heater bar shafts 46, and by projecting the rod ofcylinder 41, pushing rod 47 is pressed on projection 44a formed on themutually opposing portion of each heater bar 44. Consequently, eachheater bar 44 is rotated in the direction opening to each otherwithstanding the boosting force of the boosting means, thereby forming aclearance between the pressure surface of each heater bar 44 and heaterbar receiver 45.

Two ridge portions 1c formed in film 1 by folding mechanism 30, as shownin FIG. 3, pass between the pressure surface of heater bars 44 andheater bar receiver 45, respectively. When the rod of cylinder 41 ispulled when feed of film 1 is stopped, the pressure force of projection44a on heater bar 44 from by pushing rod 47 is released, and each heaterbar 44 rotates around heater bar shaft 46 by the boosting force of theirrespective boosting means, and the pressure surface of each heater bar44 is pressed on heater bar receiver 45. Then, by driving the heatingmeans of each heater bar 44, the top of each ridge portion 1c of film 1is heat sealed along the longitudinal direction of film 1, as shown inFIG. 6.

Again returning to FIG. 1 and FIG. 2, below main pipe 12, two pairs offeed rollers 14 are provided for keeping pressure contact with bothsides of film 1 placed therebetween, film 1 being already heat sealed bytop sealing mechanism 20 and bottom sealing mechanism 40. By rotatingfeed rollers 14 while keeping pressure contact with film 1 placedtherebetween, film 1 is carried downwardly.

Below feed rollers 14, a pair of squeezing rollers 15 are provided forrotating in synchronization with the rotation of feed rollers 14.Squeezing rollers 15 are used to divide filling material 5 by applyingpressure contact to film 1 placed therebetween, being provided movablyin a confronting manner in the direction of arrow A shown in FIG. 2.

End sealing mechanism 50 is provided below squeezing rollers 15 forhorizontally heat sealing film 1.

End sealing mechanism 50 will be described with reference to FIG. 7. InFIG. 7, two cylinders 51, 56 are provided with each rod facing eachother, with film 1 interposing them. Each cylinder 51, 56 is fixed toeach of sliders (not shown) which slide horizontally in the oppositedirection.

To the rod of one cylinder 51, cutter holding plate 52 is fixed forholding cutter 53 in a retractable manner. Also on cylinder 51, heaterbar receiver 54 which is a member for receiving heater bar 57, laterdescribed, is provided with supporting shaft 51a as center rotatable inthe direction of arrow D. Although heater bar receiver 54 is initiallyboosted by a spring (not shown) for counterclockwise rotation asillustrated, the position of the top of heater bar receiver 54 iscontrolled so that it does not rotate over the height approximatelyequal to the position of heater bar 57 to be described later. To the topsurfaces of cutter holding plate 52 and heater bar receiver 54, piecesof silicon rubbers are stuck.

A cam 52d is provided on the rod of cylinder 51, and cam receivingroller 54a is provided on heater bar receiver 54 so that it runs on thecam face of the cam 52d when the rod of cylinder 51 is advanced.According to this constitution, when the rod of cylinder 51 is advancedto cause cam receiving roller 54a to run on cam 52a, heater bar receiver54 is turned clockwise against the boosting force of the above spring.

On the rod of the other cylinder 56, heater bar 57 having built-inheating means (not shown) such as an electric heater is fixed. Further,on the cylinder 56, cooling bar 58 which is a member for receivingcutter holding plate 52 is provided to be rotatable in the direction ofarrow E centered on supporting shaft 56a. Although cooling bar 58 isboosted by a spring (not shown) for clockwise turn as illustrated, theposition of the top of cooling bar 58 is controlled so that it does notrotate about the approximate height of the position of cutter holdingplate 52. In the top of cooling bar 58, a groove is provided into whichcutter 53 can enter when cutter 53, held in cutter holding plate 52, isadvanced.

Cam 57a is provided on the rod of the cylinder 56, and cam receivingroller 58a is provided on cooling bar 58 so that it runs on the cam faceof cam 57a when the rod of cylinder 56 is advanced. Accordingly, whenthe rod of cylinder 56 is advanced and cam receiving roller 58a runs oncam 57a, cooling bar 58 turns counterclockwise against the boostingforce of the above spring.

It is noted that the present embodiment shows end sealing mechanism 50in which an electric heater is provided only in the heater bar. However,as described later, since end sealing mechanism 50 heat seals, althoughnot wholly but partially, four layers of film, for the purpose ofgenerating a larger amount of heat and securely performing the heatsealing of this portion, it is preferable to also equip heater barreceiver 54 with the electric heater.

Next, the filling and closing motion by means of the forming, fillingand sealing machine of the present embodiment will be described withreference to FIG. 2 and FIGS. 8a-8c.

First, in FIG. 2, while keeping squeezing rollers 15 and end sealingmechanism 50 open, the machine is operated to inject filling material 5from injection pipe 11 inside film 1 and concurrently rotate feedrollers 14 to carry film 1 downward. Since top sealing mechanism 20 andbottom sealing mechanism 40 are provided above the lower end ofinjection pipe 11, the portion into which filling material 5 is injectedhas already been heat sealed by top sealing mechanism 20 and bottomsealing mechanism 40.

When film 1 is carried by a fixed distance, squeezing rollers 15 areclosed to divide filling material 5 as shown in FIG. 2.

When film 1 is carried further downward from the above state by means offeed rollers 14 and squeezing rollers 15, as shown in FIG. 8a, unfilledportion 1b in which there is no filling material exists is formed infilm 1.

When unfilled portion 1b is carried between end sealing mechanism 50,the feed of film 1 is stopped and each slider is driven to move eachcylinder 51, 56 to approach. At this time, heater bar 57 has alreadybeen advanced and heater bar 57 and heater bar receiver 54 are facingeach other. When each cylinder approaches, as shown in FIG. 8b, heaterbar 57 and heater bar receiver 54 are closed, thereby pressing unfilledportion 1b. Then closed heater bar 57 and heater bar receiver 54 heatseal unfilled portion 1b by activating the heating means built intoheater bar 57.

After finishing this heat sealing process, as shown in FIG. 8c, themachine moves heater bar 57 back and concurrently advances the cutterholding plate 52. By this operation, cooling bar 58 and heater barreceiver 54 each turn clockwise, and cooling bar 58 moves to a positionconfronting cutter holding plate 52, while heater bar receiver 54retreats downward. As a result, unfilled portion 1b is pressed bycooling bar 58 and cutter holding plate 52. In this state, the heatsealed portion is cooled and then cutter 53 is further advanced to cutoff the heat sealed portion.

After cutting off the heat sealed portion, the machine moves back eachcylinder 51, 56 to drop the package. Then, the machine moves away cutterholding plate 52, brings back heater bar receiver 54 to the originalposition, and then opens squeezing rollers 15 to make the fillingmaterial drop for next filling.

The package obtained as above becomes standing pouch 1000 which canstand by itself, as shown in FIG. 9, placing the portion heat sealed bybottom sealing mechanism 40 (refer to FIG. 1) as the bottom. Since theportion heat sealed by bottom sealing mechanism 40 acts as a rib, thisstanding pouch 1000 can stand stably without crushing the bottom 1001a.Further, since this machine performs bag forming and fillingsimultaneously, the machine can produce standing pouch 1000 efficiently.

Further, since the present invention performs bag forming placing theportion which becomes bottom 1000a of standing pouch 1000 laterally, itcan perform bag forming and filling through a process in which film 1 isconcurrently carried downwardly. As a result, when compared to theconventional case in which injection the filling material and hermeticsealing are performed while carrying a bag with an open top in thehorizontal direction, the installation area of the forming, filling andsealing machine is smaller and dust hardly enters the bag. In addition,by performing the injection operation of filling material 5 whileholding the portion which serves as bottom 1000a of standing pouch 1000horizontally, the diameter of injection pipe 11 can be increasedcompared to the conventional one. Resultantly, the amount of fillingmaterial 5 injected in a time unit can be increased, and hence injectiontime of filling material 5 is reduced, thereby increasing efficiency ofproduction of the standing pouch 1000.

On the other hand, both sides of standing pouch 1000 are heat sealed byend sealing mechanism 50 as described above. However, end sealingmechanism 50 of the present embodiment performs heat sealing and coolingas well as cutting of the heat sealed portion by separate means, whenfeed of film 1 is in a stopped state. Therefore, film 1 is cooledimmediately after heating is finished, and hence each heating, coolingand cutting process of film 1 can be performed efficiently, therebyachieving high speed operation from heat sealing through cuttingprocess, and consequently increasing the heat sealing strength, andobtaining a reduced sealing width.

Particularly, in the portion heat sealed by end sealing mechanism 50,film 1 is quadruplicate at the portion corresponding to ridge portions1c shown in FIG. 3. When standing pouches 1000 are displayed ascommodities, the quadruplicate heat sealed portions are placed to showat both side ends. Therefore, end sealing mechanism 50 is required toperform certain heat sealing of the quadruplicate film. Also it ispreferable that the seal widths of both sides are as narrow as possiblefor efficient display of commodities side by side without clearance.Therefore, end sealing mechanism 50 of the present embodiment whichgives strong seal strength and narrow seal width is suitable as the heatsealing mechanism to be used in the present invention.

Further, since end sealing mechanism 50 is applied to the heat sealingof unfilled portion 1b formed by squeezing rollers 15, air beingintroduced into standing pouch 1000 is prevented. As a result, inpacking of foods, packed foods can be prevented from oxidizing orrotting.

Now, as described above, in the heat sealed portion of both side ends ofstanding pouch 1000, the portion of film 1 corresponding to ridgeportions 1c shown in FIG. 3 is of four layers and more difficult to heatseal than other portions. Particularly, the top (part F in FIG. 9a) ofthe inwardly folded portion of film 1 is liable to have concentratedstress when the internal pressure is applied to the bottom of standingpouch 1000 due to an impact from such as a drop, and further since thepart F is on the boundary of the quadruplicate film portion and thedouble film portion of film 1, there is concern that the heat seal maycome off at the part F.

Therefore, to prevent the exfoliation of the heat sealed portion, it ispreferable to use a bottom sealing mechanism as shown in FIG. 10. Thebottom sealing mechanism shown in FIG. 10 has heater bars 84 on the topof which a plurality of bumps 84b for spot heat sealing are provided,vertically spaced from each other. Bumps 84b for spot heat sealing aredisposed at positions corresponding to the corners of the bottom andboth sides of standing pouch 1000 (refer to FIG. 9) produced. The numberof bumps 84b for spot heat sealing provided on one heater bar 84 is, forexample, two when the vertical length of heater bar 84 is the lengthcorresponding to one bag length of standing pouch 1000, and four whenthe relative length of heater bar 84 corresponds to two bag lengthsthereof.

Further, a plurality of bumps 85a for receiving projections 84b for spotheat sealing are uniformly provided in heater bar receiver 85. Byclosing each heater bar 84, the top of projections 84b for spot heatsealing are pressed on the side of projections 85a, respectively,thereby spot heat sealing a part of two ridge portions 1c shown in FIG.3.

Since the other composition is similar to that of the bottom sealingmechanism shown in FIGS. 4a,4b and 5, the detailed explanation thereofis omitted.

As shown in FIG. 11, by using the bottom sealing mechanism shown in FIG.10, spot welds 1002 (only two spots are shown in FIG. 11) are formed atfour places on the side bottom parts of standing pouch 1000. With thesespot welds 1002, the extension of the ridge portions in the vicinity ofthe side of standing pouch 1000 can be aboided. Consequently, largeinternal pressure becomes hard to generate in the F portion, therebymaintaining the heat seal of the portion in a stable condition hard tocome off.

Second Embodiment

A second embodiment of the present invention will be described withreference to FIGS. 12-20.

Referring now to FIGS. 12 and 13, there is shown a forming, filling andsealing machine according to the second embodiment of the presentinvention. Film forming guide 111 for folding both side ends of sheetfilm 101 to make them coincide with each other is provided aboveinjection pipe 114, sheet film 101 being supplied from film supplyroller 113 through a tension roller (not shown) and guide roller 115.Film forming guide 111 is obliquely disposed so that film 101 can passover the surface thereof, composing a trapezoid plate with the bottomside shorter than the top side, and two film guide arms 112 disposed inthe vicinity of the bottom side of the trapezoid plate for checking theextension of film 101 passing over the surface of the trapezoid plate.Owing to the above constitution, two edges 101a are formed in film 101as shown in FIG. 14, and a region between these edges 101a becomesbottom 1000a of standing pouch 1000 shown in FIG. 9.

Below film forming guide 111, folding mechanism 130 is disposed forfurther folding the middle part of the region between two edges 101aformed in film 101 by film forming guide 111. Folding mechanism 130 isconstructed similarly to the folding mechanism explained in the firstembodiment, and film 101 passing folding mechanism 130 is folded into aW form as shown in FIG. 15 to form two ridge portions 101b.

Below folding mechanism 130, bottom sealing mechanism 140 is disposedfor sealing two ridge portions 101b, formed by folding mechanism 130,along the longitudinal direction of film 101. Further, on the positionconfronting bottom sealing mechanism 140 across injection pipe 14, topsealing mechanism 120 is disposed for heat sealing the matching surfaceprepared by overlapping open ends of film 101 along the side edgethereof. By heat sealing the side edge portion of the matching surfaceof film 101, film 101 is processed into a tubular form.

Top sealing mechanism 120 is similar to the vertical sealing mechanismfor use in a conventional vertical type forming, filling and sealingmachine, and bottom sealing mechanism 140 is also similar to the oneshown in the first embodiment. Therefore, detailed explanation withregard to these top sealing mechanism 120 and bottom sealing mechanism140 will be omitted.

Further referring to FIG. 12 and FIG. 13, it is known that, below bottomsealing mechanism 140 and top sealing mechanism 120, two pairs of feedrollers 116 for pressure holding both sides of film 101 heat sealed byabove sealing mechanisms are provided. Film 101 is carried downward byrotating feed rollers 116 while squeesing film 101 between them.

Below feed rollers 116, there are provided a pair of squeezing rollers117 which are oppositely disposed to each other with film 101interposing them and rotated in synchronization with the rotation offeed rollers 116. By squeezing film 101 from both sides, squeezingrollers 117 serve to divide a filling material (shown with obliquelines) injected into film 101, being provided so as to be movable in thedirection of arrow A driven by a driving means (not shown). By squeezingfilm 101 from both sides and rotating, squeezing rollers 117 carry film101 downward cooperating with feed rollers 116. It is noted that thebottom of injection pipe 114 is disposed above squeezing rollers 117 andbelow bottom sealing mechanism 140. According to this structure, sincefilling materials are injected into the space below bottom sealingmechanism 140, bottom sealing mechanism 140 is kept free of fillingmaterial and good heat sealing can be performed.

Below squeezing rollers 117, there is provided end sealing apparatus 150for heat sealing laterally (horizontally) film 101 which alreadycontains filling material.

End sealing apparatus 150 will be described with reference to FIGS.16-18.

As shown in FIG. 16, end sealing apparatus 150 is composed of two units1501, 1551. Units 1501, 1551 are disposed opposite to each other with apass route for film 101 between them. Each unit 1501, 1551 isindependently driven for horizontally heat sealing and cutting film 101.

As shown in FIGS. 16-18, a first unit 1501 comprises a first sealingmechanism 1510 and a first cooling mechanism 1520 both verticallyslidably supported on two perpendicularly extending guide shafts 1502.

As shown in FIG. 17, the first sealing mechanism 1510 includessupporting frame 1511 supported by guide shaft 1502, and a first heaterbar 1514 and a first heater bar receiver 1515 provided in thissupporting frame 1511 to be rotatable on the horizontal surface centeredon supporting shafts 1512, 1513, respectively. The first heater bar 1514has a built-in heating means (not shown) such as an electric heater. Thefirst heater bar 1514 is coupled through coupling member 1518 with drivecylinder 1516 provided in supporting frame 1511. By protruding the rodof drive cylinder 1516, the first heater bar 1514 turns in the directionof arrow G shown in FIG. 17. The first heater bar receiver 1515 is alsocoupled through coupling member 1519 with drive cylinder 1517 providedin supporting frame 1511. By protruding the rod of drive cylinder 1517,the first heater bar receiver 1515 turns in the direction of arrow Hshown in FIG. 17.

Therefore, when the rods of both drive cylinders 1516, 1517 areconcurrently protruded, heater bar 1514 and heater bar receiver 1515 areclosed together to press film 101. On the contrary, when the rods ofboth drive cylinders 1516, 1517 are concurrently moved away, heater bar1514 and heater bar receiver 1515 are opened together to release thepressure on film 101. It is noted that on the pressure surface of heaterbar receiver 1515 pressed on the corresponding surface of heater bar1514, silicon rubber 1515a is stuck.

The first cooling mechanism 1520 is disposed below the first sealingmechanism 1510. As shown in FIG. 18, the first cooling mechanism 1520includes supporting frame 1521 supported by guide shaft 1502, and afirst cooling bar 1524 and a first cooling bar receiver 1525 provided inthis supporting frame 1521 rotatable in the horizontal surface centeringsupporting shafts 1522, 1523, respectively. The first cooling bar 1524is coupled through coupling member 1528 with drive cylinder 1526provided in supporting frame 1521, and by protruding the rod of drivecylinder 1526, the first cooling bar 1524 turns in the direction ofarrow G shown in FIG. 18 in the same way as the first heater bar 1514.The first cooling bar receiver 1525 is coupled through coupling member1529 with drive cylinder 1527 provided in supporting frame 1521, and byprotruding the rod of drive cylinder 1527, the first cooling barreceiver 1525 turns in the direction of arrow H shown in FIG. 18 in thesame manner as the first heater bar receiver 1515.

Therefore, when both rods of drive cylinders 1526, 1527 are concurrentlyprotruded, cooling bar 1524 and cooling bar receiver 1525 are closedtogether to press film 101. On the contrary, when both rods of drivecylinders 1526, 1527 are concurrently moved away, cooling bar 1524 andcooling bar receiver 1525 are opened together to release the pressure onfilm 101.

The first sealing mechanism 1510 and the first cooling mechanism 1520are driven vertically by means of sealing mechanism drive motor 1503 andcooling mechanism drive motor 1504, respectively. Ball screw 1505extending in the perpendicular direction is coupled with the rotationshaft of sealing mechanism drive motor 1503. In order to drivevertically the first sealing mechanism 1510 by sealing mechanism drivemotor 1503, ball screw 1505 is screwed in ball nut 1506 attached tosupporting frame 1511 and penetrates through hole 1521a formed insupporting frame 1521. Therefore, by rotating ball screw 1505 by drivingsealing mechanism drive motor 1503, the rotation movement of the ballscrew 1505 is converted through ball nut 1506 to the vertical movementof the first sealing mechanism 1510.

On the one hand, ball screw 1507 extending in the perpendiculardirection is coupled with the rotation shaft of cooling mechanism drivemotor 1504. In order to drive vertically the first cooling mechanism1520 by cooling mechanism drive motor 1504, ball screw 1507 is screwedin ball nut 1508 attached to supporting frame 1521 and penetratesthrough hole 1511a formed in supporting frame 1511. Therefore, byrotating ball screw 1507 by driving cooling mechanism drive motor 1504,the rotation movement of the ball screw 1507 is converted through ballnut 1508 to the vertical movement of the first cooling mechanism 1520.

In other words, the first sealing mechanism 1510 and the first coolingmechanism 1520 can move vertically independently of each other.

Here, the structure of cooling bar 1524 and cooling bar receiver 1525 ofthe first cooling mechanism 1520 will be described with reference toFIG. 19. As shown in FIG. 19, cutter 1530 for horizontally cutting film101 is held in cooling bar receiver 1525 in a retractable manner againstcooling bar 1524 by an air cylinder not shown. On the one hand, incooling bar 1524, there is formed a groove 1524a into which cutter 1530can enter when cutter 1530 is advanced. On the surface of cooling barreceiver 1525 confronting the corresponding surface of cooling bar 1524,silicon rubber 1525a is stuck.

Now, cutter 1530 is generally held retracted within cooling bar receiver1525. However, after cooling bar 1524 and cooling bar receiver 1525 areclosed and a predetermined time period later described has elapsed, thecutter 1530 is protruded from cooling bar receiver 1525 to make the topenter groove 1524a of cooling bar 1524 cut film 101.

The first cooling mechanism 1520 serves for efficiently cooling the heatsealed portion of film 101 by the first heat sealing mechanism 1510,through pressure contact between cooling bar 1514 and cooling barreceiver 1525. The first cooling mechanism 1520 is composed of a goodheat conductive material such as aluminum. Further, a cooling mediumsuch as liquid or gas for cooling the inside of cooling bar 1524 may beused in order to increase the cooling performance.

Although the first unit 1501 of end sealing apparatus 150 has beendescribed above, the second unit 1551 also has the same constitution asthe first unit 1501. In other words, as shown in FIG. 16, the secondunit 1551 has a second sealing mechanism 1560 and a second coolingmechanism 1570 vertically slidably supported on two guide shafts 1552(only one of them is shown). The second sealing mechanism 1560 has asecond heater bar 1564 (refer to FIG. 20a) and a second heater barreceiver 1565 both provided to be capable of reciprocal rotation in thehorizontal plane for applying pressure, driven by drive cylinders,respectively. The second cooling mechanism 1570 has a second cooling bar1574 (refer to FIG. 20a) and a second cooling bar receiver 1575 bothprovided to be capable of relative rotation in the horizontal plane forapplying pressure being driven by drive cylinders, respectively. Thestructure of these second heater bar 1564, second heater bar receiver1565, second cooling bar 1574 and second cooling bar receiver 1575 aresimilar with the structure of those first heater bar 1514, first heaterbar receiver 1515, first cooling bar 1524 and first cooling bar receiver1525, so that the description for the former group will be omitted. Thevertical movement of the second sealing mechanism 1560 and the secondcooling mechanism 1570 are performed independently of each other bymeans of two respective ball screw mechanisms in the same way the firstunit 1501.

Since the first unit 1501 and the second unit 1551 are oppositelydisposed as described above, when the first heater bar 1514 and thefirst heater bar receiver 1515 are closed, the second sealing mechanism1560 can be moved from above the first sealing mechanism 1510 to belowthereof, or from below to above the same while the second heater bar1564 and the second heater bar receiver 1565 are in the open state. Viceversa, when the second heater bar 1564 and the second heater barreceiver 1565 are closed, the first sealing mechanism 1510 can be movedfrom above the second sealing mechanism 1560 to below thereof, or frombelow to above the same while the first heater bar 1514 and the firstheater bar receiver 1515 are in the open state.

With reference to the first cooling mechanism 1520 and the secondcooling mechanism 1570, the operational condition can be similar to theabove such that, by opening the second cooling bar 1574 and the secondcooling bar receiver 1575 when the first cooling bar 1524 and the firstcooling bar receiver 1525 are closed, or by closing the second coolingbar 1574 and the second cooling bar receiver 1575 when the first coolingbar 1524 and the first cooling bar receiver 1525 are open, thepositional relation of the sealing mechanisms in the vertical directioncan be changed optionally.

Next, a filling-packing operation of the forming, filling and sealingmachine of the present embodiment will be described.

First, in FIG. 12 and FIG. 13, while keeping squeezing rollers 117 open,filling materials are injeced from injection pipe 114 inside film 101and feed rollers 116 are rotated concurrently to carry film 101downwardly. At this time, two ridge portions 1c (refer to FIG. 15) havealready been made in film 101 by folding mechanism 130 and further, theportion of film 101 into which filling material is supplied is alsoalready heat sealed by means of top sealing mechanism 120 and bottomsealing mechanism 140.

When film 101 has been carried by a predetermined distance, squeezingrollers 117 are closed to divide the filling material. In this state,when feed rollers 116 and squeezing rollers 117 are further rotated tocarry film 101 downwardly, unfilled portion 101d containing no fillingmaterial is formed in film 101. By cutting off this unfilled portion110d by end sealing apparatus 150, standing pouch 1000 (refer to FIG. 9)is manufactured for containing the filling material hermetically sealed.Description will be made below with reference to the operation of theend sealing apparatus 150 for manufacturing the bag referring to FIGS.20a to 20k.

In FIGS. 20a to 20k, for clear plain explanation, a mesh pattern isapplied to the mechanisms related with the second unit 1551. Further,each motion illustrated in FIGS. 20a to 20k represents an operation ofevery 0.1 second.

In the state shown in FIG. 20a, the second sealing mechanism 1560 is atthe highest position, and the first sealing mechanism 1510 is positionedbelow the second sealing mechanism 1560 being separated by a pitch equalto the width of the standing pouch to be manufactured. Also, the firstcooling mechanism 1520 is positioned below the first sealing mechanism1510 separated by the same pitch, and the second cooling mechanism 1570is positioned between the first sealing mechanism 1510 and the firstcooling mechanism 1520. At this time, the first heater bar 1514 and thefirst heater bar receiver 1515 are closed to heat seal film 101.Further, the first cooling bar 1524 and the first cooling bar receiver1525 are also closed to hold film 1 below the first sealing mechanism1510.

Here, it is noted that the portion of film 101 held by the first coolingbar 1524 and the first cooling bar receiver 1525 is the portion heatsealed by the second sealing mechanism 1560 at the previous motion onecycle before in the series of cycles shown in FIGS. 20a to 20k.

In this way, while heat sealing film 101 by the first sealing mechanism1510 and holding film 101 by the first cooling mechanism 1520, the endsealing apparatus feeds film 101 downwardly, and moves the first sealingmechanism 1510 and first cooling mechanism 1520 in downwardsynchronization with the film feed speed, stops the feed of film 101when the vertical pitch between the second sealing mechanism 1560 andthe first sealing mechanism 1510 reaches P, as shown in FIG. 20a, and atthe same time stops the downward movement of the first sealing mechanism1510 and the first cooling mechanism 1520.

Successively, as shown in FIG. 20b, the second heater bar 1564 and thesecond heater bar receiver 1565 are closed to commence the heat sealingof unfilled portion 101d of film 101. When the second heater bar 1564and the second heater bar receiver 1565 are closed, as shown in FIG.20c, the first heater bar 1514 and the first heater bar receiver 1515are opened, then as shown in FIG. 20d, immediately the first sealingmechanism 1510 and the second cooling mechanism 1570 are raised. Also atthis point, squeezing rollers 117 are opened to drop the fillingmaterial held by squeezing rollers 117 to the point above the secondsealing mechanism 1520.

When the position of the second cooling mechanism 1570 becomes the sameheight as the position of side heat seal portion 105 of film 101 heatsealed by the first sealing mechanism 1510, as shown in FIG. 20e, thesecond cooling bar 1574 and the second cooling bar receiver 1575 of thesecond cooling mechanism 1570 are closed, thereby commencing cooling ofthe side seal portion 105 heat sealed by the first sealing mechanism1510. On the other hand, below the second cooling mechanism 1570, cutter530 (refer to FIG. 19) of the first cooling mechanism 1520 is projectedto cut off the portion heat sealed in the motion one cycle before.

As described above referring to FIGS. 20a to 20e, when the first sealingmechanism 1510 and the second cooling mechanism 1570 are changed inposition for cooling the heat sealed portion, the feed of film 101 isstopped. Accordingly, the position of the portion on film 101 to bepressed by the second cooling mechanism 1570 can easily be controlled,and hence the second cooling mechanism 1570 can press the portionpressed by the first sealing mechanism 1510 accurately to performcertain cooling of the portion.

When film 101 is cut off by the first cooling mechanism 1520, as shownin FIG. 20f, the first cooling bar 1524 and the first cooling barreceiver 1525 of the first cooling mechanism 1520 are opened to drop thestanding pouch 1000 obtained. At this time, squeezing rollers 117 areclosed to divide the filling material and concurrently the first sealingmechanism 1510 is activated to ascend.

Next, as shown in FIGS. 20g to 20k, film 101 is carried downward withsqueezing rollers 117 closed, and the second sealing mechanism 1560 andthe second cooling mechanism 1570 are made to descend in synchronizationwith the film carrying speed. During this time, heat sealing operationby the second sealing mechanism 1560 and cooling operation by the secondcooling mechanism 1570 are continuously performed. Further, togetherwith the above, the first sealing mechanism 1510 and the first coolingmechanism 1520 are raised. When it becomes the state shown in FIG. 20h,that is, the state in which the positions of the first sealing mechanism1510 and the second sealing mechanism 1560, the positions of the firstcooling mechanism 1520 and the second cooling mechanism 1570 aresubstituted for each, compared with FIG. 20a, the feed of film 101 isstopped.

Thereafter, by replacing the motion of the first sealing mechanism 1510with that of the second sealing mechanism 1560, the motion of the firstcooling mechanism 1520 with that of the second cooling mechanism 1570and repeating the above processes, standing pouches 1000 are producedsuccessively. As described above, each process shown in FIGS. 20a to 20krepresents a stage of 0.1 second. Therefore, in the present embodiment,each standing pouch 1000 is manufactured for every 1 second as a cycle.

On the other hand, the heat sealing operations on both sides of thestanding pouch, as described above, are performed by using end sealingapparatus 150 having two sealing mechanisms 1510, 1560 and two coolingmechanisms 1520, 1570, that is, while carrying film 101 downwardly, theheat sealing operations are performed by using sealing mechanisms 1510and 1560 alternately, and thereafter cooling operations are performed byusing cooling mechanisms 1520 and 1570 alternately. Moreover, while film101 is being carried, heat sealing of film 101 and cooling of theportion heat sealed by the previous motion are concurrently performed,and further the heat sealing mechanism not working and the coolingmechanism not cooling are carried upward for the next performance.

With the above procedure, it becomes possible to start the next heatsealing operation immediately after the present heat sealing operationis finished or before it is finished, and together with which thecooling of the heat sealed portion can be commenced just after thepresent heat sealing operation is finished. Therefore, with this system,it becomes possible to produce and fill the standing pouch 1000 at ahigh speed while assuring the necessary time for certain heat sealingand cooling of film 101, without deteriorating productivity. Further,since film 101 is cooled immediately after the heat sealing is finished,each process of heat sealing, cooling and cutting of film 101 can beperformed efficiently, and the operating speed itself can be increasedfor all the processes from heat sealing to cutting, while augmenting theheat seal strength.

As described above, since heat sealing is performed by means of heatsealing mechanism 1510, 1560 while moving heat sealing mechanism 1510,1560 downward together with film 101, generally this moving time is usedas the heat sealing time. Here, in the present embodiment, when coolingthe portion heat sealed, for certain cooling the heat sealed portion,the film feed is stopped and then sealing mechanisms 1510, 1560 andcooling mechanisms 1520, 1570 are substisuted, respectively, andmoreover, the heat sealing is commenced by another sealing mechanismbefore the substitution of sealing mechanisms 1510, 1560 and coolingmechanisms 1520, 1570. Therefore, in addition to the time for carryingfilm 101, the film feed stopping time can be used as the heat sealingtime.

Further, the circumstances are similar in the cooling operation. Endsealing apparatus 150 of the present embodiment comprises two sets ofcooling mechanisms 1520, 1570, and the feed time of film 101 as well asthe feed stop time of film 101 can be used as the cooling time to beperformed by cooling mechanisms 1520, 1570.

For example, in case of manufacturing one standing pouch 1000 per secondas in this embodiment, a time a little longer than 1 cycle time (1second) can be used in practice. Concretely, about 1.2 seconds can beused as the heat sealing time.

As a result, since a sufficient time is allotted to the heat sealingtime for sealing mechanisms 1510, 1560 and the cooling time for coolingmechanisms 1520, 1570, more certain heat sealing can be realized.Particularly, in case of manufacturing standing pouch 1000 as in thepresent embodiment, since it is required to heat seal the overlappedportion in film 1, at the maximum four sheets of film 1, end sealingapparatus 150 as above is considered adaptable as the end sealingapparatus to be used in the forming, filling and sealing machine formanufacturing standing pouch 1000.

As shown in FIGS. 20b to 20e, for cooling the heat sealed portion, forexample, when the first sealing mechanism 1510 is replaced by the secondcooling mechanism 1570, film 1 is supported above or below side sealportion 105 sealed by the first sealing mechanism 1510, by means of thesecond sealing mechanism 1560 and the first cooling mechanism 1520,respectively. Therefore, the second cooling mechanism 1570 canaccurately pressurize side seal portion 105 heat sealed by the firstsealing mechanism 1510, without deviating from the portion.

In standing pouch 1000 manufactured by the forming, filling and sealingmachine of the present embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 20a to 20k, thereis filling material of two bag quantity or three bag quantity existingbelow squeezing rollers 117. Also, as shown in FIG. 21, in film 101before it is cut, the bottom seal portion 104 side to be heat sealed bybottom sealing mechanism 140 (refer to FIG. 12) is expanded compared totop seal portion 103 to be sealed by top sealing mechanism 120 (refer toFIG. 12), displaying a bow shape under natural conditions.

Therefore, side sealed portions 105 are not parallel to each other, andhence if the upper and lower parts of the portion heat sealed by thefirst sealing mechanism 1510 are not held, the position of side sealportion 105 may move somewhat when the first sealing mechanism 1510leaves film 101. In other words, being affected by the deviated positionof film 101 itself, sometimes an error occurs that the second coolingmechanism 1570 cannot press side seal portion 105 accurately. In such acase, the second cooling mechanism 1570 cuts side seal portion 105 inthat state. If the second cooling mechanism 1570 cuts the film at thedeviated position, the portion other than the side seal portion 105 maybe cut in the worst case, and filling material will leak out.

Therefore, as in the present embodiment, when sealing mechanism 1510,1560 and cooling mechanism 1520, 1570 are correspondingly reversed, itis effective to hold the upper and lower parts thereof for preventingthe cutting position from deviating.

Further in the present embodiment, the operation is performed such thatsqueezing rollers 117 are opened while keeping heat sealing mechanisms1510, 1560 disposed above in the closed state; filling materials aredropped into the space above the heat sealing mechanisms 1510, 1560;film 101 is carried downward in that state; squeezing rollers 117 areclosed to form unfilled potion 101d in film 101 and thereafter; thisunfilled portion 101d is heat sealed by means of the other one of heatsealing mechanisms 1560, 1510. According to this process, during thetime from dividing filling material to heat sealing unfilled portion101d of film 101, film 101 always receives only the weight of fillingmaterial for one bag. As a result, since no extra weight is loaded onfilm 101, a standing pouch 1000 of good tension can be obtained.

By the way, produced standing pouches 1000 are shipped packed in a boxby several dozens or several tens of bags as a unit. However, as shownin FIG. 9, since standing pouch 1000 has a bulge in the bottom 1001a forthereby making it stand by itself, arranging these bags parallel in abox is not easy.

For making it possible to arrange standing pouch 1000 easily, it ispreferable to use cutter 1531, as shown in FIG. 22, in each coolingmechanism 1520 and 1570.

Cutter 1531 shown in FIG. 22 has a plurality of concaves of 2-3 mm wideon one side, the edge 1531a being formed on the side of concaves 1532including the inside thereof. For cutting the film with this structure,cutter 1531 is protruded by a distance C1 by which edge 1531a insideconcave 1532 remains spaced from the film, then the film is cut only ata portion other than concave 1532, and when cutter 1531 is furtherprotruded by a distance C2 which makes the edge 1531a of concave 1532cut, the film is completely cut off.

Providing each of the first cooling mechanism 1520 and the secondcooling mechanism 1570 with this type of cutter 1531, generally film 101is cut with the protruding distance C1, and the film for every five runsthereof is cut by arranging the projection distance as C2. Then as shownin FIG. 23, five series pack 1200 is obtained including five standingpouches 1100 connected in parallel by connections 1100. By connectingstanding pouches 1100 into a five series pack 1200 in this way, in caseof packing, the time for arranging standing pouches 1100 one by one inthe box can be saved, thereby simplifying the packing operation.

On the other hand, when standing pouch 1100 of this style is displayedin a shop, each standing pouch 1100 can be displayed being cut off ateach connection 1110. The width of connection 1110 is made correspondingto the width of concave 1532 of cutter 1531, and as described above,since the width of concave 1532 is 2-3 mm, connection 1110 can be cutoff easily. Here, although explanation has been made concerning fiveseries pack 1200, as example, in which each standing pouch 1100 isconnected by two connections 1110, the number of connections 1110 andthe number of standing pouches 1100 can optionally be determinedaccording to the material of the film used, to the size of standingpouch 1100 and the size of the packing box.

Third Embodiment

The first and second embodiments described above have shown forming,filling and sealing machines for manufacturing a standing pouch, basedon the operation of a vertical type forming, filling and formingmachine, efficiently without introducing in any foreign matter.

As is clear from the above embodiments, the standing pouch has a thickbottom and the degree of swelling of the bag is different according toportions. Therefore, when the film is heat sealed, when compared to thecase for manufacturing a pillow type package, wrinkles tend to generatein the film. When this wrinkle is generated, it not only deterioratesthe outward appearance of the package but good sealing property is alsolost, and according to circumstances, filling materials may leak fromthat portion.

Therefore, by making the film wrinkle-resistant, the present embodimentprovides a filling-packing machine which can perform better heat sealingwhile making use of the advantages of the vertical type filling-packingmachine,

A forming, filling and sealing machine according to the presentembodiment manufactures standing pouch 2000, as shown in FIG. 34, havingtop seal portion 2001, side seal portion 2002 and bottom seal portion2003. First, the approximate constitution of the forming, filling andsealing machine according to the present embodiment will be describedwith reference to FIG. 24 and FIG. 25.

Around the top of injection pipe 211, film forming-folding mechanism 220is provided for folding sheet film 101 supplied from film supply roller(not shown) by way of guide roller 212, in such a manner to make bothside ends coincide and inwardly fold the portion which serves as abottom of standing pouch 2000.

Below film forming-folding mechanism 220, there are provided bottomsealing mechanism 230 and top sealing mechanism 240 for heat sealingfilm 101 along the longitudinal direction of the film, film 101 beingfolded into a fixed form by film forming-folding mechanism 220. Bottomsealing mechanism 230 and top sealing mechanism 240 are disposed inopposite positions, with injection pipe 211 therebetween. Bottom sealingmechanism 230 forms bottom seal portion 2003 (refer to FIG. 34) ofstanding pouch 2000, while top sealing mechanism 240 forms top sealportion 2001 (refer to FIG. 34).

Below bottom sealing mechanism 230, reinforcement sealing mechanism 250for reinforcing the part of the portion heat sealed by bottom sealingmechanism 230 is provided, and further below, two pairs of feed rollers213 are provided for carrying film 101 downward. Below feed rollers 213,a pair of squeezing rollers 214 to be rotated in synchronization withthe rotation of feed rollers 213 are provided. Feed rollers 213 andsqueezing roller 214 are each similar to those of the first embodimentand the second embodiment.

It is noted that the bottom of injection pipe 211 is positioned abovesqueezing rollers 214 and below reinforcement sealing mechanism 250.Therefore, since filling materials inputted through injection pipe 211are supplied at the point below reinforcement sealing mechanism 250,reinforcement sealing mechanism 250 is kept free of filling materials,and hence reinforcement sealing mechanism 250 can perform heat sealingwork satisfactorily.

Below squeezing rollers 214, end sealing mechanism 260 is disposed forlaterally (in the horizontal direction) heat sealing film 201 suppliedwith filling materials for forming side seal portion 2002 (refer to FIG.34) of standing pouch 2000.

Next, film forming-folding mechanism 220, bottom sealing mechanism 230,top sealing mechanism 240, and reinforcement sealing mechanism 50described above will be described in detail. It is noted that endsealing mechanism 260 has the same mechanism as that of end sealingmechanism 50 (refer to FIG. 7) shown in the first embodiment, thedetailed description will be omitted.

Film forming-folding mechanism 220 will be described with reference toFIG. 26.

As shown in FIG. 26, trapezoid plate 221 whose top side is longer thanthe bottom side but shorter than the width of film 101 and whose twooblique sides have equal angles is arranged below guide roller 212obliquely to the perpendicular direction. In the vicinity of the bottomside of trapezoid plate 221, width regulation plate 223 of a rectangularform having a width equal to the length of the bottom side of trapezoidplate 221 is disposed in the perpendicular direction. On both sides ofwidth regulation plate 223, two guide arms 222 are provided extending inthe horizontal direction and in the direction perpendicular to the widthdirection of width regulation plate 223.

Film 101 passing guide roller 212 is carried downwards by the drive offeed roller 213 (refer to FIG. 24 and FIG. 25) keeping close contactwith the top surface of trapezoid plate 221 and the outside surface ofwidth regulation plate 223, and further the extension of the end of film101 is restrained from outside of film 101 by each guide arm 222.Through this process, two edges 101a are formed in film 101 as shown inFIG. 14, thereby forming film 101 into a flume shape. The region betweenthese edges 101a becomes the bottom surface of the standing pouch.

Below width regulation plate 223, a push plate 225 and two check plates224 are disposed for further inwardly folding the region between twoedges 101a formed in film 101. Push plate 225 is an inverted trianglemember and obliquely disposed in such a manner to push in the regionbetween two edges 101a of film 101 shown in FIG. 14 from the outside offilm 101. Each check plate 224 is provided for holding two edges 101afrom the inside of film 101 for controlling so that each edge 101a isnot pushed in when film 101 is pushed in by push plate 225. Each checkplate 224 is oppositely disposed inside film 101 and spaced from eachother. With this structure, film 101 passing push plate 225 and eachcheck plate 224 is, as shown in FIG. 15, folded at the side opposite tothe open end into a letter W shape, and resultantly two ridge portions101b and a valley between two ridge portions 101b are formed.

Check plates 224 have a space therebetween, at the top, equal to thewidth of regulation plate 223 and obliquely disposed, respectively,downwards with the mutual space gradually decreasing corresponding tothe inclination of the oblique side of push plate 225. Film 101 passingpush plate 225 and each check plate 224 is carried downwards, both sidesheld by press rollers 226.

As described above, film 101 passes the surface of trapezoid plate 221is bent by the two oblique sides and the bottom side of trapezoid plate221, and carried downwards. At this time, since the two oblique sidesstand with equal angles against the center line of trapezoid plate 221,the position of film 101 is self adjusted so that the load on eachoblique side becomes equal, thereby preventing a position error of film101 in the width direction. Further, when forming the ridge portionwhich becomes bottom seal portion 2003 (refer to FIG. 34), since edge101a which is the top of ridge portion 101b is formed by means oftrapezoid plate 221 and width regulation plate 223, the position of eachridge portion 101b will never deviate. In other words, the positions oftwo ridge portions coincide with each other and the distances betweeneach ridge portion 101b and the end of film 101 in the width directionalso coincide with each other.

Since film 101 is carried stably without meandering and the two ridgeportions 101b are reliably formed at the fixed positions, it is possibleto stabilize the heat sealing position of top sealing mechanism 240 andbottom sealing mechanism 230. Moreover, since positional deviation inthe width direction of film 101 is prevented, wrinkles are not producedin film 101 even when squeezing is performed by squeezing rollers 214.Thus, it is possible to realize good heat sealing by end sealingmechanism 260.

Also, since the middle part of each edge 101a is inwardly folded afterforming two edges 101a in film 101 by means of width regulation plate223, the length of film 101 required to be fed for folding sheet film101 into a shape shown in FIG. 15 can be shortened, and the height ofthe forming, filling and sealing machine can be controlled to thatextent.

Now, bottom sealing mechanism 230 will be described with reference toFIG. 27 and FIG. 28.

As shown in FIG. 27, bottom sealing mechanism 230 is attached to frame210a of the forming, filling and sealing machine, comprising twocylinders 233 fixed to frame 210a having rods 233a oppositely disposedto each other; two bottom seal bars 231 each supported by support member232 fixed to rod 233a of each cylinder 233, the pressure surfaces ofbottom seal bar 231 being oppositely disposed to each other; andreceiving plate 234 supported by frame 210a, being disposed with the topthereof inserted between each bottom seal bar 231. The distance betweeneach bottom seal bar 231 and receiving plate 234 is arranged so thatbottom seal bar 231 can be pressed by receiving plate 234 by forwardingrod 233a of cylinder 233.

Film 101 folded by the above film forming-folding mechanism 220 (referto FIG. 26) is carried in the state in which receiving plate 234 isinserted between two ridge portions 101b. Each bottom seal bar 231 has abuilt-in heater (not shown) such as an electric heater. By heating eachbottom seal bar 231 by this heater, and concurrently driving eachcylinder 233 to advance each bottom seal bar 231, the portions of film101 held between receiving plate 234 and bottom seal bar 231, that is,two ridge portions 101b are heat sealed at the same time.

Here, the pressure surface of each bottom seal bar 231 has, as shown inFIG. 28, convex 231a made in the hatched region to be higher than theperiphery, and when the pressure surface of bottom seal bar 231 ispressed on film 101, practically this convex 231a is pressed on film101. Depending on the configuration of this convex 231a, the form of therib for making bottom seal portion 2003 (refer to FIG. 34) of standingpouch 2000, that is, the stability of standing pouch 2000 to stand isdetermined. In bottom seal portion 2003 of the present embodiment, theboundary between the region to be heat sealed and the region forreceiving filling materials makes a concave curve, and the boundarybetween the above region to be heat sealed and the portion to be heatsealed by end sealing mechanism 260 is connected by a curve. Further,the length L of convex 231a in the perpendicular direction is madelarger than the feed pitch P of film 101, and at the top and bottom endsof convex 231a, convex 231a has the maximum length in the horizontaldirection so that bottom seal portion 2003 may overlap on both ends ofside seal portion 2002 (refer to FIG. 34) of standing pouch 2000.

Further, in convex 231a, concave 231b which does not press the film whenfilm 101 is heat sealed is formed enclosed by convex 231a, and togetherwith which, convex 231a is provided at the position that the convex doesnot pressurize the inside top region 101c (refer to FIG. 15) of the foldwhich forms outside ridge portions 101b in film 101.

According to the above constitution, when film 101 is heat sealed bybottom sealing mechanism 230, film 101 is not heat sealed in the regioncorresponding to concave 231b of bottom seal bar 231 and in the regionat the top of ridge portions 101b (refer to FIG. 15). Therefore, theseregions become an escape (air reservoir) for air bubble generated in theheat sealing activity whereby no air bubbles remain in an heat sealedregion, resulting in the appropriate heat sealing of good appearance.

Top sealing mechanism 240 will be described with reference to FIG. 29and FIG. 30.

As shown in FIG. 29, top sealing mechanism 240 comprises two cylinders243 fixed to frame 210b having rods 243a oppositely disposed to eachother, and two top seal bars 241 each supported by support member 242fixed to rod 243a of each cylinder 243, the pressure surfaces of topseal bars 241 being oppositely disposed to each other to be capable ofapplying pressure, and are further structured so that the open end offilm 101 folded by film forming-folding mechanism 220 (refer to FIG. 26)can pass through between each top seal bar 241.

Each top seal bar 241 incorporates heating means (not shown) such as anelectric heater. While heating top seal bar 241 by this heater, and byconcurrently driving each cylinder 243 for advancing each top seal bar241, the open end of film 101 is heat sealed along the longitudinaldirection, thereby forming film 101 into a tubular shape.

Here, the pressure surface of each top seal bar 241 has, as shown inFIG. 30, convex 241a made in the hatched region to be higher than theperiphery, and when the pressure surface of top seal bar 241a is pressedon film 101, practically this convex 241a is pressed on film 101.Depending on the configuration of this convex 241a, the form of top sealportion 2001 (refer to FIG. 34) of standing pouch 2000 is determined. Inthe present embodiment, the boundary between the above region to be heatsealed and the portion to be heat sealed by end sealing mechanism 260 isconnected by a curve.

Further, in the same way as the case of convex 231a of bottom seal bar231 of bottom sealing mechanism 230 described above, the length ofconvex 241a of top seal bar 241 in the perpendicular direction is madelarger than the feed pitch P of film 101, and at the top and bottom endsof convex 241a, convex 241a has the maximum length in the horizontaldirection so that top seal portion 2001 may overlap on both ends of sideseal portion 2002 (refer to FIG. 34) of standing pouch 2000.

Film 101 heat sealed by bottom sealing mechanism 230 and top sealingmechanism 240 is further heat sealed horizontally by end sealingmechanism 260 later described and cut off bag by bag. At this time, inthe side seal portion heat sealed by end sealing mechanism 260, theportion at which film 101 has been folded by film forming-foldingmechanism 220 has become quadruplicate. Although end sealing mechanism260 employed in the present embodiment is capable of high strength heatsealing as described later, if excessive stripping force is applied,there is a possibility that exfoliation will occur in the heat sealedportion.

Therefore in the present embodiment, for maintaining sufficient heatseal strength of the quadruplicate portion of film 101, reinforcementsealing mechanism 250 is provided for heat sealing the quadruplicateportion of film 101, before applying end sealing mechanism 260 for heatsealing.

Now, description of this reinforcement sealing mechanism 250 will bemade with reference to FIG. 31 and FIG. 32.

As shown in FIG. 31, reinforcement sealing mechanism 250 comprises twocylinders 253 fixed to frame 210c having rods 253a oppositely disposedto each other, and two reinforcement seal bars 251 each supported bysupport member 252 fixed to rod 253a of each cylinder 253, the pressuresurfaces of reinforcement seal bars 251 oppositely disposed to eachother to be capable of applying pressure. Each reinforcement seal bar251 incorporates heating means (not shown) such as an electric heater.Further, as shown in FIG. 32, these reinforcement seal bars 251 do notpress folded film 101 over whole the region in the direction of width,but are made to a size for pressuring the quadruplicate portion intowhich film 101 is folded by the above film forming-folding mechanism220. Therefore, while heating reinforcement seal bar 251 by heatingmeans and by concurrently driving each cylinder 253 to advance eachreinforcement seal bar 251, to the portion where becomes the side sealportion of the standing pouch, heat sealing is applied to the portion(portion with a mesh mark in FIG. 32) at which film 101 isquadruplicate. Further, above reinforcement seal bar 251, film positionregulation plate 254 is provided being fixed to a position which makesfilm position regulation plate 254 enter between two ridge portions 101bof film 101 heat sealed by bottom sealing mechanism 230. Owing to thisstructure, the position of film 101 is stabilized, deviation of the sealposition in the heat sealing to be performed by reinforcement sealingmechanism 250 is prevented, and melt bonding between bottom seals (filmsurface folded to a concave) caused by high temperature immediatelyafter the heat sealing can also be prevented.

A filling-packing motion of the forming, filling and sealing machine ofthe present embodiment is similar to that of the first embodiment, andhence the detailed description is omitted, but description will be madebelow with reference to the particular effects of the presentembodiment.

As described above, in order to arrange so that the portion heat sealedby bottom sealing mechanism 230 and the portion heat sealed by topsealing mechanism 240 can be connected to the portion heat sealed by endsealing mechanism 260 with a curve, the seal regions in the horizontaldirection sealed by bottom sealing mechanism 230 and by top sealingmechanism 240 become the largest at the portion to be additionally heatsealed by end sealing mechanism 260. In other words, in the portion tobe heat sealed by end sealing mechanism 260, the region heat sealed inadvance (region in which films are already heat bonded with each other)is increased. Because of this, when film 101 heat sealed by end sealingmechanism 260 is held between heater bar 267 and heater bar receiver264, wrinkles are hardly produced in film 101. Therefore, defectivesealing due to wrinkles in film 101 can be prevented.

Now, in the manufacturing step of standing pouch 2000 produced by theforming, filling and sealing machine according to the presentembodiment, the vicinity of the portion heat sealed by bottom sealingmechanism 230 has a thickness greater than other portions because film101 is formed quadruplicate in that portion. Therefore, if film 101 ispressed by squeezing rollers 114 in this state, a wrinkle is produced inthe film, sometimes causing the heat sealing of inferior quality, whichaffects the performance of end sealing mechanism 260.

Therefore, in order to prevent wrinkle generation in film 101 when thefilm is pressed by squeezing rollers 214, provisional checking mechanism270 may be provided as shown in FIG. 33.

Provisional checking mechanism 270 is provided directly above squeezingrollers 214, being oppositely disposed with film 101 interposing,comprising two provisional check plates 271 journaled so as to berotatable in the direction of an arrow shown in the figure centered onsupport shaft 271a which is parallel to the axial direction of squeezingrollers 214, and cylinder 272 for relatively moving each check plate 271in the direction of the arrow shown. Provisional check plate 271 servesfor controlling the thickness of film 101, which contains fillingmaterials, by pressing the film from outside. Before squeezing rollers214 are closed, provisional check plates 271 are closed to the extentthat film 101 is not completely crushed. Through the above process,thickness of film 101 in which filling materials are contained becomesthin and almost uniform in the width direction (horizontal direction) offilm 101, and accordingly wrinkles are hardly produced in film 101 evenif film 101 is pressed by squeezing rollers 214. Thus controlling thethickness of film 101 by means of provisional check plates 271, and byforming an unfilled portion in film 101 by rotating squeezing rollers214, wrinkles generation while carrying film 101 can be prevented.

While preferred embodiments of the present invention have been describedusing specific terms, such description is for illustrative purposesonly, and it is to be understood that changes and variations may be madewithout departing from -the spirit or scope of the following claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. A forming, filling and sealing machinecomprising:a first sealing mechanism for heat sealing a long sheet filmcarried downward with both side ends thereof overlapped with each other,said first sealing mechanism heat sealing said overlapped both side endsalong the longitudinal direction of said film; a folding mechanism forforming two ridge portions in said film by inwardly folding the widthdirection center part of said long sheet film along the longitudinaldirection of said film, the two ridge portions having tops,respectively; a second sealing mechanism for heat sealing at least thetops of the two ridge portions along the longitudinal direction of saidfilm, the two ridge portions being formed in said film by means of saidfolding mechanism; an injection pipe perpendicularly provided forinjecting filling material into the film heat sealed by said firstsealing mechanism and said second sealing mechanism, said injection pipebeing enclosed at the circumference thereof by said film; and a thirdsealing mechanism disposed below said injection pipe for heat sealingsaid film horizontally and cutting off the heat sealed portion.
 2. Aforming, filling and sealing machine according to claim 1, wherein saidthird sealing mechanism comprises: a heater bar for heat sealing saidfilm and a cutter holding member for holding the cutter for cutting saidfilm, said heater bar and cutter holding member being reciprocallymovable facing each other with said film disposed therebetween;whereinsaid cutter holding member includes a heater bar receiving memberwhich confronts said heater bar when said cutter holding member movesaway from said film; and said heater bar is provided with a cooling barfor cooling the portion heat sealed by said heater bar, said cooling barconfronts said cutter holding member when said heater bar moves awayfrom said film.
 3. A forming, filling and sealing machine according toclaim 1, wherein said second sealing mechanism is provided with bumpsfor spot heat sealing, the vicinity of the portion of the two ridgeportions heat sealed by said third sealing mechanism, the two ridgeportions being formed in said film by means of said folding mechanism.4. A forming, filling and sealing machine according to claim 1, whereinsaid folding mechanism comprises a push plate for pushing in fromoutside the film surrounding said injection pipe, and two check platesdisposed on both sides of said push plate for controlling the positionof said film from the inside of said film.
 5. A forming, filling andsealing machine according to claim 4, wherein said check plates aredisposed inclined to each other so that the space between them graduallydecreases from the upper side to the lower side.
 6. A forming, fillingand sealing machine according to claim 5, wherein above said checkplates, a width regulation plate is provided parallel to said injectionpipe for forming in said film a fold which becomes the top of said tworidge portions, said width regulation plate having a width equal to thespace between said check plates at the top of said check plates.
 7. Aforming, filling and sealing machine according to claim 6, wherein abovesaid width regulation plate, a trapezoid plate is obliquely disposed sothat said film passes the upper surface downward, the width of bottomside of said trapezoid plate is equal to the width of said widthregulation plate, the width of top side of said trapezoid plate isgreater than the width of said film and having two oblique sidesupwardly extending with equal angles.
 8. A forming, filling and sealingmachine according to claim 1, wherein said second sealing mechanismcomprises a receiving plate disposed between the two ridge portionsformed by said folding mechanism; and two seal bars oppositely disposedon both sides of said receiving plate placing said two ridge portionstherebetween, said seal bars being capable of pressing said receivingplate with respective pressure surfaces thereof, said pressure surfaceseach including a convex and a concave being surrounded by said convex.9. A forming, filling and sealing machine according to claim 8, whereinthe convex of said seal bar is provided at the position where the convexdoes not press the top region of the fold of said ridge portions in thefilm disposed between said seal bar and said receiving plate.
 10. Aforming, filling and sealing machine according to claim 1, wherein apair of squeezing rollers are provided opposite to each other andreciprocally movable with the film heat sealed by said first sealingmechanism and second sealing mechanism.
 11. A forming, filling andsealing machine according to claim 10, wherein above said squeezingrollers, provisional check plates are provided for controlling thethickness of the film heat sealed by said first and second sealingmechanisms and containing filling materials already supplied from saidinjection pipe.